Estonia Indie Travel Guide

Estonia is a rising star among European tourist destinations. This small Baltic
state made a quick transformation from being part of the Soviet Union to acceptance
in the EU. It packs tons of unusual charm into a small space and prices for the
traveler are definitely lower than most other parts of Northern Europe. The summer
is short, so Estonians celebrate it very heartily. And where else can you tour
a formerly off-limits Soviet Army base so easily?

What To Do

The coastal city of Tallinn is the capital and largest city in Estonia. It’s
only 70 km across the Gulf from Helsinki and is actually considered a suburb of
the Finnish capital. Tallinn’s city center is small and almost perfectly
preserved. There are ancient walls and buildings dating back to the 15th Century
and earlier. The city also contains an interesting museum dedicated to the occupations
by the Nazis and Soviets showing what life was like during those periods.

The 1,000-year-old city of Tartu is the second largest in Estonia and you can
imagine that it also contains an amazing amount of history packed into a small
center. Tartu is also Estonia’s university town so youth culture is more
broadly on display and English is widely spoken.

Getting There

Tallinn is obviously the transportation hub of Estonia and Eurail
Pass holders can arrive by rail from neighboring countries, but most people
will want to book
a flight into Tallinn Airport. It’s close to the city center and buses
and taxis make the trip quickly. There are also regular ferries to and from
Helsinki and other nearby port cities if you are in more of a nautical mood.

Where To Stay

Anyone arriving into Tallinn should book a hostel
or a hotel
there for at least a night or two even if you intend to go elsewhere. The capital
is small and easy to visit and places near the center are probably worth paying
a bit more for. There are hostels
in Tartu and of course many hotels, and prices tend to be reasonable.